from Jeff Z. Klein of the New York Times,

They look at the bottom line and marvel at the job he has done. During Bettman’s tenure, N.H.L. revenue has grown from $400 million a year to $3.3 billion.

“He’s in charge,” said Jonathon Gatehouse, whose book“The Instigator: How Gary Bettman Remade the NHL and Changed the Game Forever,” the first in-depth biography of Bettman, was recently published. “It has been a gradual process over 20 years and has accelerated since his victory in the last lockout.”

He continued: “Had he failed to deliver in 2004-5, he wouldn’t be the commissioner anymore. But he did, and he has made them tons of money. If he wins this around, I think he’s emperor for life.”

At a time when another big-time commissioner, Roger Goodell of the N.F.L., seems like a tailback desperately navigating a broken field of competing owners, Bettman comes off quite differently. He is the undisputed captain of his team, ready to be as rough in the corners as he needs to be to win.

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